Executive Inn & Suites

There's a bit of a split personality at this mid-range hotel. From the outside, it's a fairly standard looking affair, with a taupe condo-like facade. The waterside location is tranquil, and even feels a bit parklike, with a nearby walking path and lovely water views. Unfortunately, the first impression made by the interiors isn't the best, though the hotel's sharp and contemporary rooms do redeem things. Inside, the lobby feels a bit like an office waiting room out of the 1990s, with checkered carpeting, potted plants, and overstuffed chairs and couches covered in dated patterns. The hotel does have plans to update the look of the lobby. The breakfast buffet is served in a room with water views, and outside, the pool area also has panoramic views of the calm waters of the estuary. With five function spaces, the hotel attracts a large amount of business travelers as well as leisure travelers. 

The hotel is located off Interstate 880, facing the Oakland Estuary, making it convenient for travelers arriving or exploring the area by car. It’s a five-minute drive to Jack London Square, with restaurants and entertainment on the waterfront as well as ferries to San Francisco. Expect a 10-minute drive to the O.co Coliseum, where the Oakland Athletics and Oakland Raiders play, and a 20 minute-drive to UC Berkeley and the Moscone Convention Center. Guests looking for a little bit of nature can find Redwood Regional Park -- with walking and hiking trails -- a 20-minute drive from the hotel. San Francisco is about a 25-minute drive across the Bay, and can also be access by two BART stations, one at Lake Merritt and the other at Fruitvale Station (both are five minutes from the hotel by car). BART trips into San Fran will take about an hour. Oakland International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and San Francisco International is a 30-minute drive.

The decor in rooms is blessedly more contemporary than in the common areas, and the look is characterized by darker muted colors and streamlined furnishings. Light tan walls complement beige carpets, and wood-veneer furniture comes in gray-brown hues. The rooms have a tasteful nautical theme, with muralized pictures of boat sails and captain's wheels, and there are bright pops of jewel-tone blues and purples in soft furnishings like throw pillows and bedskirts. Capitalizing on the waterside location, some rooms have small balconies or patios with chairs that offer great views of the Oakland Estuary. 

All rooms have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, plus flat-screen TVs with HBO and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is also free. With its many business guests in mind, all rooms have modern desks with ergonomic chairs, and there's a decent amount of storage as well. Suites have additional space plus generous seating areas composed of sectional couches. These rooms also have a wet bar and iPod docks. Bathrooms have attractive tile floors and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. There are generous granite vanities along with toiletries. 

The hotel provides a free breakfast including cereal, bagels, fruit, and two daily hot options with items such as eggs and bacon. There’s no full restaurant, but there is a lounge open in the evenings and a rotating dinner menu is available, with dishes such as fajitas and ribs. The hotel also has a pantry with snacks for sale, and there’s a 24-hour business center and free property-wide Wi-Fi. Parking is free, and electric car charging is available. Meeting rooms are available for private events, the largest of which can accommodate 150 guests. There’s also an outdoor pool and whirlpool with lounge chairs, and the hotel has a 24-hour fitness center with modern cardio equipment and a single universal machine. The hotel offers a free shuttle to Oakland International Airport, Jack London Square, the Lake Merritt BART Station, and the Jack London Ferry Terminal, from where guests can take ferries to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.